Bush Asserts Progress Against Taliban in Afghanistan

President Bush says Taliban militants in Afghanistan were hit hard last year during military operations by U.S., Afghan and NATO troops.

During a news conference Thursday, Mr. Bush said troops were on the offensive against a resurgent and increasingly violent Taliban movement.

However, the president also said it makes sense to review U.S. strategy in Afghanistan to figure out what works and what does not.

This week, the U.S. military said it is going to assess coalition strategy in Afghanistan in the wake of rising Taliban attacks.

Mr. Bush expressed concern that NATO allies might tire of what he called the hard work of securing Afghanistan and may want to withdraw. He said the U.S. objective is to give them options - other than combat missions - in Afghanistan and to remind NATO allies that the job of securing the strife-torn country will take time.